Oct. 21, 1992: Mike London, Paul London face each other in Charlottesville

A couple of months ago, Mike London found himself staring at a crisis.

This particular crisis stands 6-foot-3, weighs 185 pounds and was beating him in backyard basketball 10-to-9 in a game to 11. London had never before faced such a predicament.

``He started saying, `Turn out the lights, the party's over,' '' London recalled. ``I got the ball back and scored a couple baskets and won. I told him, `The torch is getting ready to be passed, but not today.' ''

The crisis' name is Paul and he is Mike London's ``little'' brother.

The Hampton-based brothers and backyard hoop gladiators will be on opposite sides of the football field Saturday at 1 p.m. when William and Mary faces Virginia at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.

Paul London is a 19-year-old redshirt freshman reserve defensive back and wide receiver for the Cavaliers, while 32-year-old brother Mike is the Tribe's defensive line coach.

``I've been watching film of him on special teams,'' Mike London said. ``When he messes up, I laugh to myself because I'm kind of focusing on him. When he makes a good play, I know he's doing what the coaches want.

``It makes me feel kind of proud when I see him do something well because I feel like I helped play some small part in his development.''

Athletics were always a big part of the London family. Willis London has coached Little League and youth sports on the Peninsula for years. His wife, Mae, bowled and played softball. Their house, on Yorkshire Terrace off Big Bethel Road, was the neighborhood kids' athletic mecca.

Mike, the oldest, went on to be a starting cornerback at the University of Richmond. Sister Tracey was a cheerleader and was always involved in athletics. Brother Gary, now 28, became a starting strong safety at East Carolina.

``I think Paul is the best athlete of them all,'' Willis London said. ``I think he's the most well-rounded athlete of the three of them.''

Despite the age difference, Mike and Gary London didn't consider their younger brother a nuisance, athletically.

``When we were choosing sides for teams,'' Mike London said, ``it might be Paul and the slowest guy were the last two left. I'd always choose Paul. Or if we needed one more guy, we'd pick Paul. We didn't tell him he had to go over and play with the little kids.''

Paul London went on to become a first-team All-Peninsula District quarterback at Bethel High and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in baseball. He has become more than a physical match for Mike, who himself stands 6-2 and weighs 215 pounds.

``Mike used to be able to push Paul around, but not any more,'' Willis London said.

Mike and Gary and Paul get together only a handful of times a year for their athletic head-butting. They will take turns playing receiver and defensive back, trying to outdo each other while someone else plays quarterback. The competition is fierce, but never nasty.

``It's one of those rites of passage - the youngest guy challenging the oldest,'' Mike said. ``It'll be 11 o'clock and he'll say, `Come on, let's go.' Your bones are telling you it's too late to be doing this, but you say, if I don't get up and go out there, he's going to call me a pansy and I'm really going to hear about it.''

Mike London hears the clock ticking and knows he will be on the short end of a basketball score some time soon.

``My days of talking trash are limited,'' he said with a laugh. ``I'm going to have to develop a Magic Johnson hook shot or something.''